Exercises Used to Improve Mental Health
Exercises are not all about physical health. Physical activities also have a significant impact on your mental health. They increase the circulation of blood throughout the body, including the brain, impacting positively on depression and anxiety. Regular exercises can also be used to relieve stress, improve memory and learning, elevate your mood, and help you to sleep better.
Below are five types of exercises that can improve your mental health
1. Running or walking
Running or walking is the simplest and most accessible form of exercise. Apart from physical fitness, running has also been proven to be therapeutic to mental health. And, it does have to be an hour of vigorous running. A ten-minute nature walk can be of huge benefit to your mental wellbeing.
2. Yoga
Yoga seeks to establish a mind and body connection. It can be beneficial to people who find it hard to focus on their minds or understand their mental and emotional needs. The continued focus on breaths helps the mind connect with the body at the present moment, helping one to calm down. Yoga is especially very successful when incorporated with talking therapy and meditation.
3. Dancing
Music is known to have a therapeutic effect on the mind. The urge to move to the rhythm of the music can significantly impact your mood and increase the desire to stay active. Dancing also acts as a safe space where you can express your innermost emotions, improving your memory and cognitive function. Taking 2-3 dancing classes a week will go along way in keeping your energy up and ensuring that you remain motivated as you look up to learning new dancing moves in your next dance class.
4. Cycling
Like any other aerobic exercise, cycling helps to boots your mood and increase your energy levels, ensuring that you remain rejuvenated. Cycling works by increasing blood supply to the body muscles, including the heart and brain, which can help lower anxiety and improve emotional resilience towards stress and depression.
5. Gym exercises and Resistance training
The primary role and immediate impact of resistance training is physical fitness. Lifting weights has a huge impact on how you look, feel, building self-esteem, and reducing anxiety. Strength training also improves the functioning of the central nervous system, impacting positively on the mood and resilience towards stress.
There is no perfect combination of activities. First, identify what you like and what works for you and focus on maintaining the exercises in your daily life. A walk to the mall or a brisk evening stroll will go a long way in improving both your physical and mental well being.

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